Hello All,
While I am waiting for electronics and other mechanical parts to arrive, I've been doing some test work for the 1:10 scale Saab Barracuda mobile camouflage system.
Before fully committing to the conversion, which will involve cutting up parts of the turret etc (the point of no return), I want to make absolutely certain that I have a scale solution for the camouflage.
I have a quantity of the vinyl garnish which was cut to about 1:10/ 1:8th of the real materiel. Simply draping the vinyl over the tank will not accurately replicate the camouflage system.
The Saab Barracuda mobile camouflage is made from a number of components to form tailored panels that are attached to the tank by large strips of Velcro. The underside of the panel is a made from a material that is designed absorb heat and reduce the tank's interior temperature. This material is covered in tough vinyl and garnish is stitched to the vinyl layer.
![Scale garnish and a small piece thermoplastic sheet.](./download/file.php?id=93885&sid=f950f52af0cbaead54f81adeb31cfa6e)
- Scale garnish and a small piece thermoplastic sheet.
- 43.JPG (35.93 KiB) Viewed 3132 times
To replicate the camouflage accurately, I am using a 1mm thick thermoplastic sheet. This sheet becomes highly malleable when heated. This will be used make the individual panels that cover the tank. Because the sheets can be molded to tightly conform the shape(s) of the tank, the final result should look like the real thing.
![Thermoplastic before and after heating](./download/file.php?id=93886&sid=f950f52af0cbaead54f81adeb31cfa6e)
- Thermoplastic before and after heating
- 40.JPG (36.67 KiB) Viewed 3132 times
It took a couple of goes to figure out the best way to attach the garish is a realistic way. I am using Mod Podge Matte (a highly tacky pva glue that dries clear) to glue the garnish to the thermoplastic sheet. In the first attempt I covered all the garish in glue on both sides. This resulted in something looking like fish scales - fail!
![Attempt 1 is on the left - the garnish is too flat and looks like fish scales. The second attempt is right on the and is beginning to look more realistic.](./download/file.php?id=93887&sid=f950f52af0cbaead54f81adeb31cfa6e)
- Attempt 1 is on the left - the garnish is too flat and looks like fish scales. The second attempt is right on the and is beginning to look more realistic.
- 44.JPG (48.82 KiB) Viewed 3132 times
The following pictures show how I finally attached garnish to the thermoplastic.
![Blobs of Mod Podge.](./download/file.php?id=93888&sid=f950f52af0cbaead54f81adeb31cfa6e)
- Blobs of Mod Podge.
- 46.JPG (36.8 KiB) Viewed 3132 times
![Fold back clips are used hold and stretch out garnish](./download/file.php?id=93889&sid=f950f52af0cbaead54f81adeb31cfa6e)
- Fold back clips are used hold and stretch out garnish
- 47.JPG (32.92 KiB) Viewed 3132 times
![The final result on the right](./download/file.php?id=93890&sid=f950f52af0cbaead54f81adeb31cfa6e)
- The final result on the right
- 44.JPG (48.82 KiB) Viewed 3132 times
![Final test piece - the scale effect will quite good.](./download/file.php?id=93891&sid=f950f52af0cbaead54f81adeb31cfa6e)
- Final test piece - the scale effect will quite good.
- 50.JPG (43.26 KiB) Viewed 3132 times
In addition to the camouflage tests, I have started to prepare the Leopard A4 to A4M conversion parts.
I am using parts from 1:35 kits a general scale reference.
![Hobby Boss and Y Modelle kits. Parts from both kits will be used as a scale reference for the conversion](./download/file.php?id=93892&sid=f950f52af0cbaead54f81adeb31cfa6e)
- Hobby Boss and Y Modelle kits. Parts from both kits will be used as a scale reference for the conversion
- 52.JPG (49.79 KiB) Viewed 3132 times
![1:35 parts to used as reference](./download/file.php?id=93893&sid=f950f52af0cbaead54f81adeb31cfa6e)
- 1:35 parts to used as reference
- 49.JPG (43.72 KiB) Viewed 3132 times
The next step will be to laser scan the 1:35 parts and re-render the resulting CAD models and enlarge them by 350%. Once the parts have be correctly scaled, they will be 3D printed in resin,